Ultrasound diagnostic apparatus and method of controlling the same

Abstract

Provided is an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus including a plurality of casters allowing the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus to be moved according to a control signal, a detection sensor configured to detect a motion of the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus, an input configured to receive a control command of the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus from a user, and a controller configured to determine whether a user desires to use the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus on the basis of at least one of the detected motion or the received control command, and upon determining that the user desires to use the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus, transmit a control signal for locking at least one of the plurality of casters.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus comprising:
 a plurality of casters allowing the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus to be moved according to an electrical signal; 
 a detection sensor configured to detect a motion of the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus; 
 an input configured to receive a control command of the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus from a user; 
 a main body coupled to the plurality of casters; 
 a controller configured to determine whether the user desires to use the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus on the basis of at least one of the detected motion or the received control command, and upon determining that the user desires to use the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus, transmit a control signal for locking at least one of the plurality of casters; and 
 a control panel configured to control the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus, 
 wherein the controller is further configured to determine that the user desires to use the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus in response to detecting a position change of the control panel, and 
 wherein the position change of the control panel is with respect to the main body. 
 
     
     
       2. The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus includes:
 a probe configured to radiate an ultrasound signal to an object and receive an ultrasound signal that is the ultrasound signal being radiated to the object, reflected from the object, 
 wherein the controller is configured to determine that the user desires to use the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus in response to detecting a position change of the probe. 
 
     
     
       3. The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a monitor, 
 wherein the controller is configured to determine that the user desires to use the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus in response to detecting a position change of the monitor. 
 
     
     
       4. The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a keyboard,
 wherein the controller is configured to determine that the user desires to use the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus in response to detecting a position change of the keyboard. 
 
     
     
       5. The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a footrest on which a foot of the user is rested,
 wherein the controller is configured to determine that the user desires to use the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus in response to detecting a position change of the footrest. 
 
     
     
       6. The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to determine that the user desires to use the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus in response to receiving at least one of a unlock command for changing a position of a monitor or a diagnosis start command of the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus from the user. 
     
     
       7. The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the input includes a display provided in a monitor,
 wherein the controller is configured to determine that the user desires to use the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus in response to the display receiving the control command from the user. 
 
     
     
       8. The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the input includes a trackball provided in a control panel,
 wherein the controller is configured to determine that the user desires to use the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus in response to the trackball receiving the control command from the user. 
 
     
     
       9. The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the input receives a unlock command for unlocking the plurality of casters from the user,
 wherein the controller is configured to unlock the plurality of casters in response to the input receiving the unlock command for the plurality of casters from the user. 
 
     
     
       10. The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the input receives a command for activating or deactivating an auto lock function of the caster from the user,
 wherein in response to receiving the command for deactivating the auto lock function of the caster, the controller is configured to prevent the control signal for locking the at least one of the plurality of casters from being transmitted even when it is determined that the user desires to use the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus. 
 
     
     
       11. The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the detection sensor includes at least one of a current sensor for detecting current generated by a motion of the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus, or an acceleration sensor, a gyro sensor or a motion sensor for detecting a movement generated by the motion of the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus. 
     
     
       12. A method of controlling an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus including an input including a display and a trackball, a probe, a monitor, a control panel having a keyboard, a footrest, and a main body coupled to a plurality of casters, the method comprising:
 detecting a motion of the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus; 
 receiving a control command of the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus from a user; 
 determining whether the user desires to use the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus on the basis of at least one of the detected motion or the received control command; and 
 upon determining that the user desires to use the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus, transmitting a control signal for locking at least one of the plurality of casters, 
 wherein the determining of whether the user desires to use the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus on the basis of the detected motion includes determining that the user desires to use the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus in response to detecting a position change of the control panel, and 
 wherein the position change of the control panel is with respect to the main body. 
 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 12 , wherein the determining of whether the user desires to use the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus on the basis of the detected motion includes determining that the user desires to use the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus in response to detecting a position change of the probe. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 12 , wherein the determining of whether the user desires to use the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus on the basis of the detected motion includes determining that the user desires to use the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus in response to detecting a position change of the monitor. 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 12 , wherein the determining of whether the user desires to use the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus on the basis of the detected motion includes determining that the user desires to use the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus in response to detecting a position change of the keyboard. 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 12 , wherein the determining of whether the user desires to use the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus on the basis of the detected motion includes determining that the user desires to use the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus in response to detecting a position change of the footrest. 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 12 , wherein the determining of whether the user desires to use the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus on the basis of the received control command includes determining that the user desires to use the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus in response to receiving at least one of a unlock command for changing a position of the monitor or a diagnosis start command of the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus from the user. 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 12 , wherein the determining of whether the user desires to use the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus on the basis of the received control command includes determining that the user desires to use the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus in response to the trackball receiving the control command from the user.